Point-of-care washed red blood cells

Point-of-care washed red blood cells are a specialized blood product preparation where allogeneic leukocyte-reduced red blood cells are washed with saline using an automated system immediately before transfusion. This process is intended to reduce the risk of transfusion-related complications, specifically transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), by removing potentially harmful substances that accumulate during storage, such as free hemoglobin, extracellular potassium, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and lipids. This intervention is primarily being evaluated in high-risk populations, such as patients undergoing cardiac surgery, where large-volume transfusions are common and the risk of pulmonary complications is elevated.

Other names

Point-of-care washed RBCsWashed red blood cellsWashed RBCs